I’m pleased to share some good news: it’s very likely that you will be able to stay with your current health insurance provider for an additional 90 days.
Today, my colleagues and I on CoGFA voted to allow HFS to negotiate emergency 90-day contracts for the group health insurance program. Unfortunately, HFS cannot simply extend current contracts because they expire, by law, at the end of June. Because of our vote today, however, HFS can negotiate new 90-day contracts with the very same providers we all currently use, including Health Alliance.
In the mean time, the courts can hopefully resolve the lawsuit surrounding this issue. At the end of the 90-day period, and at the conclusion of the lawsuits, we will know more about our options for the longer term.
For now, here’s what you need to know about the new 90-day emergency contracts:
- The benefits choice period is still set to expire on June 17, (this coming Friday). All health insurance choices need to be made by this date.
- HFS/CMS will be announcing the 90-day emergency contracts as they become available on their website in the next day or so: www.benefitschoice.il.gov. Please continue to monitor this website tonight and tomorrow to ensure that current providers, like Health Alliance, do in fact sign a 90-day emergency contract. You should have this information in time to make a decision by close of business on Friday.
- If you wish to stay with your current insurance plan, and your current insurance provider signs a 90-day emergency contract the following will apply:
- If you have ALREADY SUBMITTED a Benefits Choice Election Form, simply submit a second form indicating your updated choice. CMS will ensure you are covered by whatever provider was indicated on your most recently submitted form.
- If you have NOT ALREADY SUBMITTED a Benefits Choice Election Form, do nothing. If you do NOT submit a form, and your current provider is available again, you will automatically stay with your current provider.
For example, let’s say you are currently on Health Alliance HMO and wish to keep it for the next 90 days. You would first watch www.benefitschoice.il.gov and confirm that Health Alliance signs a 90-day emergency contract. Then, assuming you have not yet submitted a form, you do nothing. You will be automatically enrolled again.
But let’s say you already submitted a form to change from Health Alliance to HealthLink OAP. Now that Health Alliance remains as an option, you wish to keep it. Simply submit a second Benefits Choice Election Form, re-selecting Health Alliance, and you will be put back with Health Alliance (assuming they sign the 90-day emergency contract).
I recognize the complexity of these choices and how frustrating it can be. While my staff and I try to provide as much information as possible, please let me also note: we are not health care experts, nor are we qualified to advise you on your individual health care choices. For help with your specific situation, please refer to CMS by calling 1-800-442-1300.
I hope this has been helpful, and please feel free to call my office if we can assist you in any way.
Today, the Illinois House of Representatives passed Senator Frerichs' bill to block changes to the State’s group health insurance contracts. SB 178, which would continue current contracts including that with Health Alliance for two years, now moves to the Governor where he must sign it for it to become law. Read the news release after the jump. 